Still Waiting (update)

First of all, I want to thank all of you for keeping up on my condtion.  Your support and prayers have been an enormous help; especially when I am feeling sorry for myself.

 

I just got a call from my surgeon's nurse that my SCS has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 14th - that's next week.  YAAAY!!  I really didn't expect it this soon but I am oh so thankful.  Only now I will go back to worring about the needle prick going into into my spine.  They did give me what is supposed to be some pretty good meds to help me through it.  My nerves are all bundled up again as I think about the "what if's" and reflect on the pros & cons again.

 

Now I need you guys again to wish me good luck and prayers AGAIN.

 

Here's thanking you all in advance!

 

By the way, I am working on my 11th day of non-smoking!

I'm sure the anxiety could have some impact, although I don't know how much. I know your anxiety may be up a bit because you've done such a great job of getting rid of the nicotene - but still, your body may be more ansy now from slight cravings.

Do you have any relaxation CD's or calming music you could try? I know it's a challenge, but if you combine it with some of the cognitive behavioral approaches I think Gramps had linked you with before, it can help. The cognitive therapy helps with the mental conversations we have - so you've got to start answering the voice that tells you it's going to be too painful, etc. with one that says it'll be a piece of cake compared to the pain you feel on a regular basis (and that's the truth!). Then use some calming music, nature sounds, etc. and allow your breathing to pace to the music. If you start doing this a few times a day, you can help calm yourself, and it will also help you stay a non-smoker.

But it's great that your trial is scheduled so soon - and look in the meantime you've quit smoking!!

Cheers to you Lassie!
PaLady

Lassie,
These stumbles are the way we learn, but remember I told you that nicodemon was powerful - and it is. I am concerned when I hear you say "at least until after your surgery." Smoking causes and worsens so many health problems....including pain. And what if your trial does work, but you get another infection from smoking so you can't have the real deal? Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen that gets to ALL tissues in the body, so my hunch is it may even impact how well something like an SCS may work, although I don't know that for sure.

You've got to decide you want health and you're going to fight for it. That means telling even your friends who smoke they need to leave their cigarettes behind when they come to see you. If they are friends, they wiil do that. You know I had quit for 3 years and then my father was dying so I went to visit them to help. My mother was a smoker and I also said I could have "just one" and then I started telling myself more lies like I'll just smoke hers for as long as I'm visiting, and then it when I got back home the lie was I wouldn't buy any but I'd just bum from friends. Then I bought my first pack and at the time I had quit (3 year earlier) I had been smoking about a pack a day. The little "packmen/women" in the body wake up fast, and you're quickly back to the level you were at, and it goes up from there. Nine years later when I finally was able to quit I was smoking 3 pack a day. And I had constant bouts of bronchitis, and even one bout of pneumonia (which I smoked my way through...sick,eh?). So ok, you learned you can't have people over who smoke. For awhile you might not even be able to be close to them as you may smell the smoke on them (although after awhile you'll see how awful this smells).

Anyway, get back on the wagon. I hope you still have more patches, but if not get some. And yes, those CD's and the video sound wonderful ways to relax. The canoe makes me relax just to think of it!

My pain ....well, that SI joint just doesn't seem to be staying put like it was. I have to figure out how to approach my physical therapist to see if he'll at least check it now and then until I can get the exercises and belt to work like they were before. It was staying put for so long....I forgot how awful it makes things!

Hugs to you!
PaLady

Thanks, Lassie. Your words of support mean a lot to me, too. You "hear" me well and I appreciate that.

I do grow so weary of pain, especially the extra things that add on to our already lousy pain levels. I got a paper cut yesterday and sometimes you'd think it was the end of the world! LOL

Tell your friend when she visits to leave her cigarettes in the car. And tell her no matter how much you beg (and trust me, you will from time to time) not to give you one! You'll get over the craving and be yet another step toward your health!

Hugs,
PaLady

Hi Lassie, Good to hear that you finally have a date! Wishing you the best with your trial. Don't worry too much about your slip just get back on that wagon like everyone else said and don't let your friends tempt you next time.

Best wishes

Thanks cookie & Muzz - For your good wishes for my surgery. Today I've been thinking - next week this I will be back home and hopefully feel alot better. Thanks for not condemning me for my cigarette slip-up. PAlady shared some information that has proved to be quite helpful. I don't think I will "cheat" again - keep your fingers crossed for me!

PAlady, good news to hear that u got in tomorrow!! good luck getting back in place

Thanks Muzz & Lassie.

Sad to say Susie, I already have COPD. I am supposed to use my oxygen 24/7 but I only put it on when my oxygen level gets below 89%. I also have a nebulizer, I am supposed to take treatments 4x daily but I forget and really only use it after I have had a flare up. This is another reason I desperately need to quit smoking before my surgery. I don't think they will do it if my oxygen level is not good.

I am struggling to make it 2 weeks without smoking - and you went 3 months, WOW that's great! Of course I would like to say if I had gone that long I would never pick up a cigarettes again. But at least you have cut way back from going outside to smoke - I applaud you for that.

I am trying to get ready for my surgery next week but don't really know what to prepair. Anything to get me out of this wheelchair will be a milestone! Please keep me in your prayers. Good luck & I wish you good health with your COPD.

Thank you so much for remembering me and my surgery. I didn't know you were having something done on the same day. I don't know what a TEE is so I will being at your link.

I have been really depressed these past few days. Crying at the at the drop of a hat and all that stuff. That's why I haven't been around the past few days. I looked at another forum that deals with Survirors of Suicide - Loss of Siblings and I think that might have triggered the depression. I lost my only brother & sister to suicide and thought it might help me overcome my feelings of grief, remorse but I think it only brought those feelings to the surface again.

I will definitely be thinking about you on Wednesday. I think I'll try your way of getting through the procedure too - I'll think about what you are going through at the same time.

My prayers are with you now & on the 14th!!

Yes Gramps, I have thought about calling my therapist but I am really tired of crying. And I know that's what I would do. Bringing up my relatives is such a sensitive matter. I don't think I should have ever tried that forum; I'm just not ready for it and don't know if I ever will. I lost my brother in 1983 and my sister in 2006, you would think I would have my emotions a little more under control.

I have been doing really good with my smoking!!

Thanks for your concern.

Best of luck tomorrow, Lassie! I'll be praying for you.

Praying for a successful trial! Let us know how it goes as soon as you are well enough to log in!